Catskills Hotels: The Graham & Co

When it comes to the best Catskills hotels, for me there can only be one. I’ll admit I’m extremely biased because it was the site of David and my wedding. But even without those excessively blissful memories, The Graham & Co. in Phoenicia, N.Y. still gets my vote as one of the best boutique hotels in the Catskills.

The Catskills are one of my favorite regions in New York State. It’s a region known for rolling green mountains, waterfalls, steep valleys, and charming towns and villages. Roughly two hours from New York City, the Catskills have long been a popular getaway for residents of the city, particularly since the 1950s and 1960s when Jewish families would flock to bungalow summer colonies along what was then referred to as “The Borscht Belt.” If you’re thinking Dirty Dancing, you’re right on the money.

I grew up visiting the Catskills and later called them home for a short spell. Now visiting the Catskills is my favorite thing to do whenever I’m back in New York, and one of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley. And whenever I do make my way up there, I’m always going to be booking The Graham & Co.

So read on to find out why this spot has my vote as one of the best hotels in the Hudson Valley. Keep in mind that it’s a different kind of hotel from the typical ones I review, so the same ranking system does not always apply.

And if you feel so inclined to book The Graham & Co. for yourselves, you can do so right here.

The Graham & Co Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

Best Hotels in the Hudson Valley: The Vibe of The Graham & Co

Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

It was truly the wedding of my dreams, so how could the vibe not be stellar? From the minute I started emailing Nathalie, the property manager at The Graham, I knew we were in good hands. We also worked closely with Martin, the owner. Every single person on staff at The Graham was exceptional, and everyone who attended our wedding said that we chose the perfect place to host it.

Then you’ve got the location — tucked in a hollow surrounded by rolling green mountains. The hotel is a converted motel from the middle of the 20th century but has been revamped to a pure minimalist hipster aesthetic. The old garage now acts as reception and a massive lawn has a pool, a fire pit, and plenty of space to run around. The rooms have a muted color palette of grays, greens, and smoky blues set against the beautiful Catskill mountain scenery. Think big backyard BBQ but a little bit boho-chic. It’s also a quick walk into Phoenicia, one of my favorite small towns in the Catskills. For me, it’s simply heaven.

Things to Do in the Catskills: The Amenities at The Graham & Co.

Overall Score: Above Average

Like I said, this is a converted motel. So don’t expect all the bells and whistles when it comes to amenities. Still, for a motel in the middle of the mountains, The Graham & Co delivers in above average in what you’d expect.

The pool is a big plus, but it’s unheated so you’ll really only be using it in the really hot months. They do have bicycles you can take for free, perfect for tooling around Phoenicia and it’s one main drag.

They also have a fire pit for evening bonfires and s’mores, plus the location is close to some of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley, like hiking, scenic drives, stopping into small towns, antiquing, shopping, or exploring secret swimming holes.

Boutique Hotels in the Catskills: The Rooms at The Graham & Co

Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

The rooms at The Graham & Co. are beautifully decorated with an industrial-chic-minimalist-mountain aesthetic that is entirely cohesive, even if those words are not. Trust me on this one.

We stayed in “The Bungalow” because the bride & groom need s p a c e — both for getting ready and to avoid the massive amounts of people who were there in our honor. The Bungalow was an absolute dream as a bridal suite. It has a small backyard, two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. It’s like a huge apartment/small house and I highly recommend this room.

The other rooms were great, too. Many of them even came with kitchenettes. Some people were hesitant to stay in “the bunkhouse,” which is a separate building that has six bedrooms, each with one bunkbed, and then three separate bathrooms. So ideally, two bedrooms share one bathroom. I thought they were perfectly fine and if I was staying a night or two, I’d be very comfortable there, especially if I knew the other people in the bunkhouse.

Catskills Hotels: The Food at The Graham & Co

Overall Score: Above Average

There’s no restaurant at The Graham, but they do bring your choice of breakfast to your room in a very sweet basket each morning. You have a choice of a few different breakfast options, and all are made with locally sourced products.

If you want something more substantial, then you can walk into town to visit Sweet Sue’s or take a quick drive over to the Phoenicia Diner. You certainly won’t starve up in the Catskills, with so many fabulous restaurants around.

Best Hotels in the Hudson Valley: The Wellness at The Graham & Co

Overall Score: N/A

It’s a renovated motel. No spa or gym here. But you do have the beauty of nature and miles upon miles of hiking trails all around you. You will certainly find a way to stay active and/or zen.

Stay at The Graham & Co

Have I convinced you yet? If you want to book a stay for yourself, you can do so right here. Note that I may earn a small commission if you book through my blog.

Catskills Hotels: The Graham & Co.